Process of cracking oils under pressure



C. ELLIS.

PROCESS 0F CRACKING OILS UNDER PRESSURE.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 2q, 1920.

v L l 'vetor:

UNITED STATES l PATENT OFFICE.

CAELETON ELLIS, MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOB, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 STANDARD OIL COMPANY, A CORPORATION QF NEW JERSEY.

PROOESS OF. CRACKING OILS UNDER PRESSURE. I

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented May 9,1922.

Uriginal application led October 4, 1913, Serial No. 793,377. Dividedv and this application filed November 26, 1920. Serial No. 426,501.

T o all 'whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, CARLETON ELLIS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Montclair, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes of Cracking- Oils Under Pressure, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to the manufacture of gasolene from heavier oils.-

lt will be fully understood from the following description thereof, illustrated by the accompanying drawing, which shows somewhat diagrammatically and partially in section apparatus suitable for carrying the invention into e'ect.

In accordance with the present invention, the hydrocarbon material to be treated is first passed through a decomposer, which may suitably consist of a series of tubes placed in a furnace and adapted to be heated while the hydrocarbon material passes through them and is subjected to thermal decomposition during such travel. Of course, the length of the tubes, the velocity of travel of the hydrocarbonI material and the temperature of the surrounding heating gases may be proportioned with respect to each other. A quantity of steam may be introduced into the decomposer along with the oil or oil vapors, the quantity of steam being such as to provide water up to 20-50%, more or less, based on the nature of the oil-employed. After the hydrocarbon materials have passed through the decomposing tubes to which a strong heat is applied externally to bring them to decomposing temperature i of 400 to 600 C'. or so, they pass to a vessel o r container well insulated to prevent loss of heat, in which container the heated hydrocarbon materials undergo further reaction with establlshment of certain conditions which could not be secured satisfactorily in the decomposing tubes. From the vessel or container the products may pass into a dephlegmator or fractionating column, which may be suitably arranged to yield as fractions a gas oil and unconverted kerosene, especially if the latter is employed as -the raw material. Either or both of these products may be returned to the decomposing tubes if4 desired.

The lighter oils or volatile spirits are condensed either in the dephlegmator or In a subsequent condenser (not shown). The condensed product may, if desired, be redistilled or refined by means of sulfuric acid and alkali or subjected to any other method of treatment, although in general vthis is unnecessary when the products are passed through a hydrogenating device, such as is shown in the application of which this is a division.

Referring more particularly to the draw- Ings, the numeral 1 indicates a furnace structure containing a battery of heating tubes as shown at 4, 4, 4b and 4. These tubes consist of pipes set horizontally or practically so, connected end to end in such manner as to form a continuous passage from the upper horizontal tubes to the lower ones. They are heated by any suitable means, for example, by fuel gas supplied through the pipes 2. A stack or chimney opening 3 for removal of the spent gases or products of combustion, is provided. A feed pipe 5 serves for the introduction of oil, oil vapors, oil and water, steam and oil, the steam being supplied, for example through 5a or the vapors of steam and oil. These pass downwardly through the several series of heating pipes and then by risers 6, 6a, 6b and 6, are taken to thel manifold 7 which communicates with the drum 8, which, as clearly indicated in the drawing, is of much greater diameter than the decomposing or heating tubes. The drum is preferably of considerable length with reference to its diameter and has an inlet for hydrocarbon material at one end and its outlet 9 preferably at the other end. The products of combustion from the heaters below the decomposing tubes pass up and around the drum and in some cases may add heat to it land in other cases serve more as an insulating blanket of heated air to prevent any substantial drop of temperature in'the drum 8. The hydrocarbon material travels slowly through the drum so that further conversion may take place therein.

The outlet pipe 9 leads to a dephlegmator 10 which ma ybe a column apparatus of the type adapte to make a thoroughly sharp separation of close boiling fractions, which may be withdrawn at 11, 11 and 11". These pipes may suitably lead these fractions to receivers 18, from which suitableconneclions may lead to the supply manrtold 19 for oil or hydrm'arbon material. A pipe 1:2

.carries out the light converted products through valve 15. Gases are withdrawn through a valve 14. A trap 13 enables gases to be collected at that point.

"hen wateris used in the decomposingr tubes and an excess is employed, this will appeal' later. on condensation and suitable means should be provided for its removal. The apparatus may be run at a slight pres sure or a considerable pressure` as several atmospheres may be employed if desired. This application is a division ol my prior application Serial No. 793.377, filed October l. 1913.

"hat l claim is:

1. 'The process of making a gasolene substitute which comprises passing a kerosene or heavier oil through a heated Zone wherein the oil is brought to a decomposing temperature in a single passage` and passing the products at a slower rate through an enlarged passageway without increasing their temperature` and without permitting the temperature to drop below a decomposing temperature and maintaining superatmospheric pressure upon the oil in its passage through the heated zone and the enlarged passageway.

Q. The process of making a gasolene substitute which comprisespassing hydrocarbon material through a long passageway subjected to a high external temperature whereby the hydrocarbon material is brought to a decomposing temperature and substantial conversion thereof .is effected passing the products of decomposition at a slower rate through an enlarged passageway in which their temperature is substantially maintained without rise and wherein further substantial change in the oil occurs. and maintaining superatmospheric pressure in both said passageways.

3. The method of making a gasolene substitute which comprises passing hydrocarbon material admixed with steam through a long passageway subjected to a high external temperature, whereby the hydrocarbon material is brought to a decomposing temperature, passing the products of decomposition through an enlarged container in which further substantial conversion of the hydrocarbon products is effected Without increasing their temperature and removing the products formed in said container through a single outlet.

4. The method of making a gasoline substitute which comprises passing hydrocarbon material once through an elongated passageway subjected to a high external temperature, whereby it is brought to a decomposing temperature, passing the hydrocarbon material from said passageway into an enlarged chamber in which the temperature of the products does not rise, a decomposing temperature being maintained therein, whereby further conversion of the hydrocarbon material is effected, and maintaining superatmospheric pressure thrmighout the system.

5. The method of making a gasoline substitute which con'iprises passing hydrocarbon material once through an elongated passageway subjected to a high external temperature, whereby it is brought to a decomposing temperature, -passing the hydrocarbon material from said passageway into an enlarged chamber in which the temperature of the products does not rise, a decomposing tempcrature being maintained therein, whereby further conversion of the hydrocarbon material is effected, removing the decomposition products 'from the enlarged chamber through a single outlet and maintaining supei-atmospheric pressure throughout the system.

(i. The process of making a gasolene substitute which comprises passing hydrocarbon material heavier than gasolene through a long passageway, being subjected therein to a temperature of 400 to 600 C., and thereby brought to a decomposing temperature passing the products of decomposition through an enlarged passageway subjected to a lower external temperature whereby no rise in temperature takes place therein, a decomposing temperature being maintained removing the products 'of digestion from said enlarged passageway and maintaining superatmospheric pressure in said passage.

7. The process of making a gasolene substitute which comprises passing hydrocarbon material heavier than gasolene through a long passageway, being subjected therein to a temperature of 400 to 600o C., and thereby brought to a decomposing temperature passing the products of decomposition through an enlarged passageway subjected to a lower external temperature whereby no rise in temperature takes' place therein, a decomposing tem'gperalture being maintained removing the products thereof from said enlarged passageway through a single outlet and maintaining pressure throughout the passageways.

8. The process of making a gasolene substitute which comprises passing hydrocarbon material heavier than gasolene through a long passageway subjected to a high ex-l ternal temperature, thereby bringing it to a decomposing temperature withdrawing and holding the products of decomposition at a decomposing temperature without increasing their temperature, thereby effecting further substantial conversion thereof, superatmospheric pressure being maintained thereupon, separating the products thereof into oils heavier than gasolene on one hand and volatile products on the other hand, and returning the heavier oils to the highly heated passageway. v

9. The process of making a gasolene substitute which comprises passing hydrocarbon material heavier than gasolene through a converting system wherein it passes once through an elongated passageway subjected to a high temperature and the products of decomposition are passed into an enlarged chamber, maintaining them at a decomposing temperature therein without increasing their temperature to effect a further substantial change therein, maintaining superatmospherio pressure in the passageway and chamber, withdrawing the products from the chamber through a single outlet, sep

arating therefrom oils heavier than gasoline and returning said oil to the converting system.

10. The process of making a gasolene substitute which comprises passing hydrocarbon material heavier that asolene through a converting system wherein it passes once through an elongated passageway subjected to a high temperature, whereby a substantial decomposition thereof is effected and the products of decomposition are removed and maintained at a decomposition temperature without increasing their temperature, until further substantial conversion takes place said converting system being maintained under superatmospheric pressure, separating the products of said conversion into oils heavier than gasolene on one hand and volatile oils on the other hand, and returning the heavier oils to the converting system.

CARLETON ELLIS. 

